Effect of meditation on psychological distress and brain functioning: A randomized controlled study

A randomized controlled trial tested whether the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program could improve brain integration and psychological well-being in government employees. Ninety-six central office administrators and staff from the San Francisco Unified School District were randomly assigned to either start TM immediately or join a wait-list control group. After four months, TM participants showed significant decreases in total mood disturbance, anxiety, anger, depression, fatigue, and confusion, and significant increases in vigor. A subset with EEG recordings also showed significant increases in brain integration scores. Compliance with daily meditation practice was high at 93%, indicating the program is feasible and effective for reducing psychological distress and improving brain integration and positive affect in this population.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: Psychological stability and brain integration are important factors related to physical and mental health and organization effectiveness. This study tested whether a mind‐body technique, the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program could increase EEG brain integration and positive affect, and decrease psychological distress in government employees. Method: Ninety‐six central office administrators and staff at the San Francisco Unified School District were randomly assigned to either immediate start of the TM program or to a wait‐list control group. At baseline and four‐month posttest, participants completed an online version of the Profile of Mood States questionnaire (POMS). In addition, a subset of this population (N=79) had their EEG recorded at baseline and at four‐month posttest to calculate Brain Integration Scale (BIS) scores. Results: At posttest, TM participants significantly decreased on the POMS Total Mood Disturbance and anxiety, anger, depression, fatigue, and confusion subscales, and significantly increased in the POMS vigor subscale. TM participants in the EEG‐subgroup also significantly increased in BIS scores. Compliance with meditation practice was high (93%). Conclusion: Findings indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing the TM program to improve brain integration and positive affect and reduce psychological distress in government administrators and staff. HIGHLIGHTS96 school administrators were randomly assigned to treatment or control group.Of the 96 subjects, 88 completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) at pre and posttest.Of the 96 subjects, 67 had their EEG recorded at pre and posttest.At the four‐month posttest, the TM subjects increased in vigor and the brain integration.Total Disturbance, anxiety, anger, depression, fatigue, and confusion decreased.TM practice improved brain integration and psychological health in administrators.